1890s L. Coes 6” Knife-Handle Adjustable Wrench – Dual Patent 1891 & 1895 – Worcester Mass Vintage Tool

Late-19th-century L. Coes knife-handle screw wrench, made in Worcester, Massachusetts and stamped with the 1891 and 1895 patent dates. This is the compact 6” “genuine improved knife-handle” pattern with the wood grip over a steel core and the classic Coes square-jaw profile.

I’ve given it a careful clean-and-conserve restoration: the wrench works smoothly, the markings are readable, and the original wood handle has been stabilized while keeping the honest shop wear you’d expect from a 120+ year old tool.

Includes a printed care sheet.

Maker & dating

Maker: Coes Wrench Co. – Worcester, Mass., USA
Pattern: 6” “genuine improved knife-handle” screw wrench
Markings (jaw, logo side):
COES
WRENCH CO.
WORCESTER
MASS
Markings (patent side):
L. COES
PATD
DEC 15-1891
APR 30 1895
Estimated date of manufacture: c. 1895–1900 (late-1890s dual-patent pattern)

Size

Overall length: approx. 6½” (nominal 6” size)
Jaw width at bar: approx. 1” (25–26 mm)
Jaw width at tip: approx. 1⅛” (28–29 mm)
Adjustment: worm screw runs freely through full travel

Condition

Metal:
Cleaned of loose rust and grime, retaining dark gray patina and scattered pitting from age.
Stamps remain legible on both sides of the fixed jaw.
Threads are clean and lightly oiled; knurled thumbwheel turns smoothly.
Jaws:
Light wear to corners from use.
Small opposing gap (≈1/16”) when fully closed – typical for a piece of this age and not recut.
Handle:
Original wood “knife-handle” scales over a steel core with metal ferrule and end cap.
Long age cracks along the seams were stabilized with thin CA glue from the inside and outside; movement is greatly reduced.
Finished with a light coat of boiled linseed oil and a beeswax/mineral-spirits balm for a smooth, dry feel in the hand.
Overall:
Structurally sound and fully functional, with honest wear, patina, and tool marks consistent with a working 1890s wrench.

Please review photos closely – they’re part of the description and show the exact wrench you’ll receive.

How you might use it

Working small adjustable wrench for light shop tasks
Display piece for a vintage machinist, mechanic, or industrial collection
Desk or shelf decor with a real 19th-century tool story behind it
Photo prop for period shop or steampunk scenes